Sri Lanka has announced a 10-day lockdown starting tonight in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus, as surging infections and deaths overwhelm the island's health system.

The country recorded its highest single-day death toll of 187 and 3,793 cases on Wednesday.

"Nationwide lockdown in effect from 10pm today (Aug 20) to Monday (Aug 30). All essential services will function as normal," Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said on Twitter.

Read the full Reuters story here.